As you may or may not know, there is a music mixer in Houston every Tuesday at Volcano. Originally started by John Nova Lomax of the Houston Press, this event went from a small intimate gathering of music folk to a large networking opportunity for any and all involved in the creative arts in Houston–specifically music.

This Tuesday (11.23.04), Dan Workman Music will be hosting its first night at Volcano (2349 Bissonnet @ Morningside — in Rice Village). Usually things start to kick off around 7pm and go until about 11pm or whenever you decide to leave. There is no cover, and the bar serves drinks at happy hour prices for attendees.

Also, there will be an acoustic performance at 8pm by Dan Workman Music artist Southern Backtones, who recently released their new album. Be sure to come check it out. Visit the band’s website for more information.

Now Playing in My iPod: Foma — Icecaves

There are a lot of great shows in town this week. The Starlite Desperation, a great garage rock act, will open for The Donnas and The Von Bondies. Norwegian musician Sondre Lerche will be here, and local musician Chris Sacco will open the show. Earlimart will be in town as well. The Hightailers will play at Last Concert this week, and Liviya Compean will have a CD release show. Local punk rockers Gun Crazy (get their album here) will also play this week. Fondue Monks, a long-time Houston staple, will play in the Heights at Dan Electro’s. Southern Backtones will play an in-store show at Cactus Music & Video at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Also, Metallica will play on Tuesday night, but you can read my thoughts on them here.

Here are some of the other shows in the Houston area this week. If I missed your band, please let me know about upcoming shows.

Tuesday, 11.16.04

Metallica w/ Godsmack @ Toyota Center
Carolyn Wonderland @ Last Concert Cafe
Matt Pond PA w/ Household Names @ The Proletariat
Taiwan Deth w/ Rotten Piece @ Super Happy Fun Land
Teresa @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck

Wednesday, 11.17.04

Straylight Run w/ Hot Rod Circuit, Northstar, Say Anything @ Fat Cat’s
The Chariot w/ Showbread, He Is Legend, As Cities Burn, Far-Less @ Walter’s on Washington
Drowning Pool @ The Engine Room
The Oots w/ .belville @ Rhythm Room
Pot Roast @ Last Concert Cafe

Thursday, 11.18.04

Sondre Lerche w/ The Golden Republic, and Chris Sacco (of DuneTX) @ Rhythm Room
NY Rel-x w/ Complete Control, Drastic @ The Meridian
Matt Wertz w/ Dave Barnes, Rhythm @ The Engine Room
Jack Knife w/ Skinkrawl @ Fat Cat’s
Human Host w/ Muzak @ Super Happy Fun Land
Catie Curtis @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
The Ten Man Jam @ H-Town’s Arena Theatre
The Hightailers @ Last Concert Cafe
RPG w/ Dixie Witch @ Rudyard’s
Kevin Higgens w/ Jim Kam @ Anderson Fair
Ioline @ The SideCar Pub

Friday, 11.19.04

Fondue Monks @ Dan Electro’s (in the Heights)
Giant Sand w/ Heavenly States @ Walter’s on Washington
Earlimart w/ Silversun Pickups, Chasmatic @ Rudyard’s
Darkest Hour w/ Between the Buried and Me, Cattle Decapitation, Fear Before the March of Flames, and Bars @ Fat Cat’s
The Donnas w/ The Starlite Desperation, and The Von Bondies @ The Meridian
Vallejo w/ Podunk, and Liviya Compean (CD release show) @ The Engine Room
The Clumsy Lovers @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Bette Midler @ Toyota Center
Donkey Ranch @ Rhythm Room
A Particularly Vicious Rumor @ Super Happy Fun Land
Engelbert Humperdinck @ Verizon Wireless Theater
Van Wilks w/ 57 State @ The SideCar Pub
Ellipsis w/ Darrin Cobitich @ Last Concert Cafe
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys/Sean Reefer/Molly & the Ringwalds @ The Continental Club
Colin Mochrie w/ Brad Sherwood @ H-Town’s Arena Theatre
Stephanie Urbina Jones @ Anderson Fair

Saturday, 11.20.04
Southern Backtones (in-store @ Cactus Music and Video, 3 p.m.)
Gun Crazy w/ Vooduo @ The Axiom
Panthers w/ Death from Above 1979, and Vietnam @ Walter’s on Washington
Extreme Texas Metalfest II, featuring Vesperian Sorrow, Adumus, Bat Castle, Vex, Condemned, Demure, Infliction, Gates of Enoch, Morguetology, & Slow Grind @ Cardi’s
Fear Factory w/ No Warning, Trivium @ The Engine Room
Jesse Dayton @ The Continental Club
5th Annual GoGirlsMusicFest, featuring Liviya Compean, The Googe, & the Fematics @ Rhythm Room
Peach Truck Republic w/ A Hummin’ Acoustical Acupuncture @ Last Concert Cafe
Toni Price w/ Patrice Pike @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Shake Russell w/ Mike Hearne @ Anderson Fair
Amber @ 2401 San Jacinto
Texas High Life @ The SideCar Pub
Selia Qynn w/ Wayne Wilkerson @ Coffee Oasis (Clear Lake)
Volatil @ the Warehouse (1801 Washington @ Houston Ave.)

Sunday, 11.21.04

Johnny Goudie w/ Joseph King @ The SideCar Pub
The Faint w/ TV on the Radio, Beep Beep @ Numbers
Hot Snakes w/ The Ponys, The Detonations @ The Engine Room
Ian Moore @ Rudyard’s
David Fahl & Band w/ Carrie Ann Buchanan & the apocalyptics @ Last Concert Cafe

Be sure to let me know if I missed any shows. Thanks.

Check back for a possible interview with Earlimart.

Now Playing in My iPod: David Garza — A Strange Mess of Flowers (box set)

Local rock staple KLOL “Rock 101” was taken off the air and replaced with some sort of Latino hip-hop format. The switch has outraged 101’s loyal fanbase. While I am not a fan of much of the music 101 played (Creed, Incubus, etc.), the station has supported Texas music and local bands throughout its tenure in the Houston radio market.

Fans have created a website to protest the format change. There is a message board, a petition, contact information for the station and Clear Channel. Visit www.rock101.info for more information.

Do what you will…

Tonight at 10 p.m., local rapper South Park Mexican will be interviewed from jail on KTRK ABC 13. Not sure if it will be on their website after it airs, but feel free to check here.

Tonight (Saturday, November 13th, 2004) at DiverseWorks downtown, The Houston Chapter of AIGA presents the 5th Annual Loud and Clear–Texas Music Looks Like This, an exhibition and auction of original artwork interpreting the music of Texas musicians. Nearly 400 patrons of the arts, graphic design, and music gather for a unique evening of Texas-style entertainment (that means big hair, big hats, boots, Mexican food, and booze). Originally developed to increase awareness of graphic design as a discipline and profession among a larger and more diversified audience, the event also raises funds for KPFT 90.1 FM, a local publicly-funded radio station you should already be aware of.

This year’s exhibition and auction will again feature original posters, designed by some of the best and brightest in Texas’ graphic design community, interpreting the music of artists whose work represents Texas music at its eclectic best. Proceeds from the event and auction will benefit AIGA Houston and KPFT 90.1 FM: The Sound of Texas, a Pacifica Network radio station.

The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 for AIGA members, and $35 for non-members. A steep price, yes, but there will be complimentary food and drink. Last year, they ran out by the time I got there, but hopefully this year will be different. I have been assured it will be.

Hope to see you there.

Now Playing in My iPod: Years — [self-titled]

Here are some of the shows that are playing in the Houston area this week. Be sure to email me if your band has a gig that is not on this list.

Tonight (Wednesday, 10.10.04)

VHS or Beta w/ The Fever @ Fat Cat’s
The Scorpions w/ Tesla @ Reliant Arena
Mike Watt & the Secondmen w/ The Jonx @ Rudyard’s
Yuna/Sanguine/Kill The Last Hour @ Rhythm Room
Westview/The Last Starfighter/Brand New Disaster @ The SideCar Pub
Pot Roast @ Last Concert Cafe

Thursday, 10.11.04

Delgados w/ Crooked Fingers @ Fat Cat’s [this will be amazing!]
South Austin Jug Band @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
The Contingency, Heist at Hand, and A.S.H.S. @ Fitzdown
The Wrangler Brutes/White Whale/The Philosophers @ Walter’s on Washington
The Hightailers/56 Hope Road @ Last Concert Cafe
Gore Gore Girls @ Rudyard’s
Skyfall/Moments of Apathy/Codie @ The SideCar Pub
Deauxmain/Bad Jazz @ Rhythm Room
MystiQuintet @ The Meridian
The Scattered Pages @ The Harp (Richmond Ave. near Shepherd Dr.)

Friday, 11.12.04

The Octopus Project/The Advantage/The Sugarbeats @ Fat Cat’s
Cruiserweight/Kevin Eskowitz/Dover Drive/Sky Blue 72 @ Fitzdown
The Murder Junkies/Poor Dumb Bastards/The Molly Maguires @ The Axiom
George Jones @ Verizon Wireless Theater
Cellcyst/Duro/Prognosis/Co-Factor/Sevrin/Swellbone/Androgen @ The Engine Room
Mofro w/ Drop Trio @ The Meridian
Robbie Fulks @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Stoney Laurie/Keith Davis/SFB Band @ The SideCar Pub
Lost Sounds @ Rudyard’s
Andi and I/Jason Consolacion/Opposite Day @ Super Happy Fun Land
Honeybrowne/Brown vs. Board/Blake & Fallon @ Fitzgerald’s
Two Tons of Steel/Box Car Preachers/Molly & the Ringwalds @ The Continental Club
Plump w/ Papa Mali @ Last Concert Cafe
Beaver Nelson @ Anderson Fair
Guy Forsyth w/ The Mighty Orq @ Rhythm Room

Saturday, 11.13.04

Coheed and Cambria w/ Underoath and 3 @ Numbers
Fallcore Fest, featuring Will To Live, Pride Kills, Die Young, Your Mistake, Blood Ties, Ten Crowns, HoldXFast, 5 Families, Layin’ It Down, & Burn What Binds @ Fat Cat’s/Walter’s on Washington
Strangelight w/ The Mechanical Boy and Max Cady @ Rhythm Room
Del Castillo w/ Acustyka @ Fitzgerald’s
Sleeping Rubys w/ Chad Hogue @ Rudyard’s
5 Dollar Friend @ The SideCar Pub
Hayes Carll (CD release) @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Jheri Signfeldt’s Atropheed Sac/Iron Kite @ Super Happy Fun Land
Mikado w/ Moving Matter @ Last Concert Cafe
Abasia/Sect of Fate/Feeding James/The Contingency/Carmaci @ The Engine Room
Doug Hudson w/ Eric Hanke @ Anderson Fair
The Scattered Pages @ Helio’s

Sunday, 11.14.04

Drive-By Truckers w/ The Heartless Bastards @ The Meridian
Little Brother w/ The Away Team/L.E.G.A.C.Y./Yazarah @ The Engine Room
David Fahl w/ Selia Qynn @ Last Concert Cafe
Dig @ Rhythm Room

Advance warning:

Local punk band Gun Crazy is finally playing again at the Axiom on Saturday, November 20, with Vooduo, a band from Long Beach, CA. Vooduo features a former member of the Lords of Altamont and play trashy 60s garage/biker rock. They’re a bit like the Seeds crossed with Davie Allan and the Arrows and the Mummies. Check out their web site here.

On December 1, local space rockers Sound Theory will play at The Proletariat with Strangelight and Denton’s Wellwisher> This should be a good show. The cover is $3.

Also, mark your calendars for Sound Theory’s CD release party on December 18 at Rudyard’s.

If you know of upcoming shows I have missed, please let me know. If you’ve been to some shows and want to discuss, get involved in the donewaiting.com message boards. Always some lively discussions going on in there.

Now Playing in my iPod: Years — [self-titled]

Local musician Arthur Yoria’s song “Call Me” was on last night’s season premiere episode of Fox’s The O.C.–Yoria’s song beat out several other bands from across the U.S. for the honor.

Tonight, you can catch Yoria at Crossroads Coffee in the Village around 8 p.m.

More information can be found at his website.

Be sure to scroll down to see the other shows happening this weekend.

Now Playing in My iPod: Pink Floyd — Pulse (CD 1)

Houston’s own Fondue Monks will be playing Thursday (11.4.04) at Sherlock’s Pub on West Gray (above Birraporetti’s). The show starts around 9:30. Should be a good one.

Just discovered a great band out of Australia, Season. Their new album is called Avatar. Check out their website (and download some samples) here.

Now Playing in My iPod: Season — Avatar

It’s been a while, but meoWcifer has two shows coming up this week. The band is playing at Proletariat this Wednesday (November 3, 2004) as part of Commune Music. The OOTs and Carter Brown share the bill.

meoWcifer also plays Sunday (November 7th) at Rudyard’s with Holly Golightly and Mr. Airplane Man.

Be sure to come check out the band.

Also this week–the musician’s meetup (http://musicians.meetup.com/1/) once again hosts a motley collection of players from all across Houston. Looking for band members, subs, teachers, students? This is the place. As always, the mixer is at the Volcano (2349 Bissonnet @ Morningside) and goes from 7pm until 11pm or so. There’s no cover, and the bar serves drinks at happy hour prices for attendees (plus free appetizers if enough people show up). Your host is Ian Varley of Drop Trio.

Shows in the Houston area this week include:

Tuesday (11.2.04)

Menomena/Manchild/Freedom Sold @ Fat Cat’s

Wednesday (11.13.04)

The Blood Brothers/Daughters/White Rabbits @ Fat Cat’s
Eyedea and Abilities/illogic and Los Nativos @ The Engine Room
Will To Live/Die Young/Skare Tactic/The Kidnap Soundtrack/Jonbenet @ Walter’s on Washington
The Oots / meoWcifer @ The Proletariat
Red Elvises @ The Continental Club
Belly Dance Super Stars and the Desert Roses @ Fitzgerald’s
A Tribe Called Quest @ Hush (15625 Katy Fwy.)

Thursday (11.4.04)

Murphy’s Law/The Pietasters/The Shakedowns/The Reason @ Fitzgerald’s
Solace Bros. @ Rudyard’s
Cigar Store Indians @ The Continental Club
Klute @ Union Bar & Lounge
Barry Manilow @ Toyota Center

Friday (11.5.04)

Ben Lee/Pony Up @ Fat Cat’s
Sparta/Copeland/Further Seems Forever/Sunshine @ Numbers
Arthur Yoria @ Crossroads Coffee (8 p.m. show)
California Lightning/Sic Alps @ The Titty Stop (1005 W. Clay)
The Carnies/The Medicine Show/The Latest @ Rudyard’s
Dead Poetic/Acceptance/Anadivine/Five Speed @ Walter’s on Washington
Dre Allen Project/Dawn Robinson/Slim Kid Tre @ The Engine Room
Phil Pritchett @ Fitzgerald’s
Chris Duarte @ The Continental Club

Saturday (11.6.04)

Buddy Guy @ The Orange Show
Rudy Ray Moore @ The Continental Club
Wolf Eyes/Rubber O Cement/A Pink Cloud @ Fat Cat’s
Arthur Yoria @ Beverly Pub
Belligerent/Demonology/Mortal Suffering/Immortal Remains/Brutally Mutilated/Cerebral Rot @ The White Swan
Tres Chicas @ Rudyard’s
Battle of the Bands Finals, featuring Disclaimer, Misuse, Shotgun Facelift, Perpetual Motion Theory, Trace Element, Transonic, Embraced, & Alfred’s Chorus @ The Engine Room
Little Brother Project/The Psychodillos @ Last Concert Cafe
Trachtenburg Family Slide Show Players @ Walter’s on Washington

Sunday (11.7.04)

Guided By Voices @ The Engine Room

Also, today is election day so please get out and vote. You have no right to gripe about things if you don’t cast your vote. Remember that.

Now Playing in My iPod: New Blind Nationals — Bury the Pattern

Last night’s show at Continental Club was one of a kind! Three great local acts–all very diverse, all very good. It was the Southern Backtones CD release party, and they should be commended for having Tody Castillo (and band) and Drop Trio open the show.

All three bands really put on great performances–the Southern Backtones, as always, delivered a great night of rock. You can pick up their new self-titled CD at local record stores. Drop Trio’s new CD, Leap, is now available as well.

Some little-known facts about the Southern Backtones (mostly nabbed from their site):

The Southern Backtones–Hank Schyma, vocals/guitar; Mykel Foster, bass; John Griffin, guitar; and Todd Sommer, drums–have reinvented themselves with each of their three albums. Let’s review their development:

[note–this has a classic album cover as well]

So there you have it. Check out the Southern Backtones’ new CD–and Drop Trio’s Leap as well. Tody Castillo’s CD should be released in January 2005.

The turnout at the show was spectacular (especially for a night typically reserved for Halloween festivities) and the crowd was very responsive. I spoke with several people (hi Jamie) who came to the show without hearing any of the bands before. That is what this city needs–people coming out to local shows and supporting local musicians, regardless of genre.

I also met local singer/guitarist Carolyn Wallace [website]. I hope to have an interview with her sometime in the future.

Shameless plug:

The latest issue of Houston Press has an article on blogging that briefly mentions Houston Calling. It’s positive press, so that’s good.

In case you’re too lazy to click, here’s what the article had to say:

But there are also some more structured, focused local blogs. “Houston Calling,” for example, is about on the music scene here. It lists upcoming shows and includes entries in the journalistic “ten questions” format; the guy who runs it, David Cobb (a Houston Press contributor), has interviewed Tom Foolery and the Mistakes, Stiff Little Fingers and the Methods.

Not bad…

Now Playing in My iPod: Caviar — The Thin Mercury Sound